2005 is going to be a great year...

**onearmedbandit** · 14th February 2005, 20:36

Well for for my girlfriend and me anyway, and for all others I hope as well. Just of recent some changes have happened in our lives (no, we're not expecting!) that I want to share with you all.

First up, we're getting married this year, May 21st to be exact. We've been together now 3yrs, having lived together 2 and a bit, and have found our perfect partner in each other. Its a strange feeling, as I never thought of myself as the marrying type, happy to be with someone but never thought of tying the knot. But now that I've known her, there is a desire to cement the relationship, to commit ourselves to each other.

Secondly, I put in for the management position at my work and got it! The previous manager left to pursue his own plans, and I slipped into the position unofficially acting mainly as a support person to liase between the different departments and oversee the sales team. This of course ate into my sales time, and while I was 2nd ranked salesman (out of 4) I noticed I was spending less time on the yard, and that the longterm effect would be decreased sales figures. So after being approached by a few fellow staff members about the position, I applied informally and given an letter of offer which I obviously renegotiated and accepted. So now my days are incredibly busy, its still a strange feeling being the person everyone comes to for decisions/approvals etc, but I'm relishing it. Of course there is a substantial pay increase to offset the extra workload, can't do it all for love!!

Lastly (most have probably stopped reading now!) my girlfriend has just accepted an offer from the first travel agency she worked for. Having arrived in NZ a little short of 4yrs ago from Japan, unable to communicate in English, she has studied hard and become fluent in English (she could speak it very well when I first met her) and entered the travel industry while studying Chinese and interpretation an CPIT working her way up to where she is now. Her new job is sole-charge, with less hours and mucho more pay. She was told to give them an offer, and when she didn't know how much to ask for I told her to table an offer she would love but probably not get. They accepted.

So sorry to go on guys, but with all the bad news here I thought I'd share some good news. Proves that those that work hard at what they want will achieve.

**Biff** · 14th February 2005, 20:45

Superb - good on ya mate. It's lovely to hear that you're such a happy chappie.

Beers on you then I guess.

Oh - and I need a new cage. See you soon!

**Jantar** · 14th February 2005, 20:48

Congratulations, and good on you both for having such a postive putlook.

**Skunk** · 14th February 2005, 20:56

Congrats on the upcoming wedding. Good to see things are rosy for you both.

**sels1** · 14th February 2005, 21:29

Great stuff guys. Nice to hear some good news, there has been so much bad stuff about lately. Well done.

**SuperDave** · 14th February 2005, 21:44

Good to hear that. All the best! My week is looking better already.

**erik** · 14th February 2005, 21:52

Awsome

good luck to you!

**gav** · 14th February 2005, 22:07

Nice one mate

Must catch up some time!

**John** · 14th February 2005, 22:19

yup stories like this even can brighten the darkest of hearts *eghmm* anyways congratulations on everything -

**Motu** · 14th February 2005, 22:32

Good one mate,it's a great feeling when things turn around and starting clicking into place....I feel 2005 is going to be good for me too.

My life is a total stuff up - but that's ok,I planned it that way...bucking the system and making random big change decisions.We came back to Auckland 9 yrs ago and have been homeless since,moving temporaraly into my wife's family home,but then staying on for 6 yrs and doing the big run down 7 bedroom house up into a saleable proposistion,my 4th child being born there.Then we moved into the mother in laws place to help out with her 3rd hip opperation,finaly all 7 of us living in her back yard with 3 caravans.Under control again and looking at houses my younger daughter was rushed to hospital with an infected toe and possible amputation,all fixed and she still has her toe,but had to do the opp again later.Back in control after that lot only a few weeks later and my closest friend is found crawling on the floor and rushed to hospital,he is diagnosed with Parkinsons Disease,I am one of the few who visit and give him my support.After six weeks we get him out of hospital and his big treat was going on the Triumph Poker Run,in the support vehicle (he hasn't been able to ride for 2 yrs,tough on a guy who made bikes his life) The next day my mother rings me and says she has cancer - I put aside my life to support my mother through her last days,she lasted 10mths and we burried her in July.These last couple of years have been pretty bloody tough.

House prices in the meantime went through the roof,now I was looking at a crippling mortgage till I was 75,or continuing to rent into my old age and hoping my kids would support their parents.But we had a reasses,lowered our sights - and on Xmas Eve had our offer on a house accepted - we are now freehold in a rundown do up in Huntly,and very,very happy.We settled on the worst house in the best street type of thing,need a total gut,repaint and refloor etc,6mths growth dealing with etc.We are all excited again planning colours,carpets,bathrooms,planting the grounds and stuff....lot's of work and no riding for me,but I'm happy.

While we were down checking out the area my daughter and boyfriend said - hey,this is not a silly idea after all...so they bought 2 adjoining sections and are putting on a brand new 3 brm house all for under $100,000,not bad for a young couple starting out.We walk across a park,another park to where their place will be.Today my younger daughter handed in her notice after 3yrs employment,she wants to start afresh,wants to help us put our house in order too.She is putting in as much time on it as us.We shift her caravan onto the back lawn and she stays with the whanau,we are all of us together again.

I'm looking forward to 2005...I feel a burden lifting....

**ching_ching** · 14th February 2005, 22:34

U happy now me happy.

**ching_ching** · 14th February 2005, 22:45

Originally Posted by Motu

These last couple of years have been pretty bloody tough.
...
we are all of us together again.

I'm looking forward to 2005...I feel a burden lifting....

Kia kaha brudda

**R1** · 15th February 2005, 07:08

Originally Posted by onearmedbandit

Well for for my girlfriend and me anyway, and for all others I hope as well. Just of recent some changes have happened in our lives (no, we're not expecting!) that I want to share with you all.

First up, we're getting married this year, May 21st to be exact. We've been together now 3yrs, having lived together 2 and a bit, and have found our perfect partner in each other. Its a strange feeling, as I never thought of myself as the marrying type, happy to be with someone but never thought of tying the knot. But now that I've known her, there is a desire to cement the relationship, to commit ourselves to each other.

Secondly, I put in for the management position at my work and got it! The previous manager left to pursue his own plans, and I slipped into the position unofficially acting mainly as a support person to liase between the different departments and oversee the sales team. This of course ate into my sales time, and while I was 2nd ranked salesman (out of 4) I noticed I was spending less time on the yard, and that the longterm effect would be decreased sales figures. So after being approached by a few fellow staff members about the position, I applied informally and given an letter of offer which I obviously renegotiated and accepted. So now my days are incredibly busy, its still a strange feeling being the person everyone comes to for decisions/approvals etc, but I'm relishing it. Of course there is a substantial pay increase to offset the extra workload, can't do it all for love!!

Lastly (most have probably stopped reading now!) my girlfriend has just accepted an offer from the first travel agency she worked for. Having arrived in NZ a little short of 4yrs ago from Japan, unable to communicate in English, she has studied hard and become fluent in English (she could speak it very well when I first met her) and entered the travel industry while studying Chinese and interpretation an CPIT working her way up to where she is now. Her new job is sole-charge, with less hours and mucho more pay. She was told to give them an offer, and when she didn't know how much to ask for I told her to table an offer she would love but probably not get. They accepted.

So sorry to go on guys, but with all the bad news here I thought I'd share some good news. Proves that those that work hard at what they want will achieve.

married!!!! dude wheres my invite?? :spudwhat: i went and had a look in the mailbox but nufin there.......you must have sent it to the wrong address....so i will forgive you

. you will just have to drop it off ya self .

**Joni** · 15th February 2005, 07:18

Happy stories.... just gotta love them! Thanks for sharing!

Congrats to both of you for the up and coming wedding! It sounds like you surrounded by the good stuff - amazing! Good for you....

All the best!